Community And Youth Agency Donates Five Buddy Benches To Half Hollow Hills

REACH Community And Youth Agency Donates Five Buddy Benches To Half Hollow Hills
Donation Made As Part Of Their 45th Anniversary Celebration

DIX HILLS, NY, May 4, 2018 – In celebration of their 45th anniversary, the REACH
Community and Youth Agency (CYA) decided to give back to the youth they serve by
purchasing five buddy benches and donating them to the Half Hollow Hills Central
School District, which will place them in the recess areas of each of the district’s
elementary schools.

The buddy bench is a simple idea designed to help foster friendships. Students who
are interested in finding someone to play with during recess can sit on the bench,
while other students are taught to check the bench from time to time to see if there
is someone sitting there that they can invite to join them on the playground.

“As we discussed how to celebrate our 45th anniversary serving the children, youth
and families of Half Hollow Hills, we thought that instead of holding a gala
fundraiser, wouldn’t it be nice to give something back to the district and its
students?” said Roseann Miceli, executive director of REACH CYA. “We had heard about
buddy benches during one of the district’s Sandy Hook Promise: Start With Hello
programs, and thought they would make the perfect gift to support kindness and
inclusion.”

The district plans to educate students and lunch monitors on how the buddy benches
work, and teach them strategies on how they can use it to help make sure every
student has someone to play with during recess.

Since 1972, REACH CYA has identified the concerns and needs of youth, parents and
schools in Half Hollow Hills and Commack, and offered activities that develop
positive attitudes, self-esteem and problem solving skills. Over 1,300 middle and
high school aged students participate in their programs yearly, which include
basketball, chess, volunteer opportunities and summer trips. REACH CYA also
administers a New York State Licensed Before and After school Child Care program for
elementary school age children in Half Hollow Hills, and offers a half day
Pre-Kindergarten Program for 4-year-olds in Half Hollow Hills.

Miceli added, “These 45 years would not have been possible without the generous
support of Half Hollow Hills and the Town of Huntington, so we are excited to
celebrate our anniversary by giving back to the students we serve.”

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